But, with the government shutdown and a looming debt ceiling deadline sparking even more divisiveness and partisan bickering, Public Policy Polling, the Democratic automated polling firm that nailed every swing state in 2012, found that only 8 percent of the American public approves of Congress.

And just how much do they dislike them? Those surveyed said (pdf) they prefer hemorrhoids, cockroaches and toenail fungus to Congress.

Because we're NPR, we'll also note that 60 percent of the surveyed said they have a higher opinion of public radio fundraising drives than they do of Congress.

But there is hope — kinda. Congress polled better than the Ebola virus, Anthony Weiner and Miley Cyrus.